Polaroid Stories Essays - , Term Papers, Research Papers

Polaroid Stories I have never been to a live play performance before, but I have seen one on video. I loved it as though I was reading a great storybook; being able to stop at anytime and pick up where I left off, but I never thought about the relationship between the performers and the audience. Nor did I think of the impact of all of the aspects that deal with creating a play and giving a great performance. For my first live play I went to go see Polaroid Stories; a play I thought would not be so shocking to a first time audience member. I was wrong; this play almost literally looked me in the face and slapped me. The play had the look of a run down playhouse that had little funding and little direction, but I later pieced it together that they made it part of the play, and obviously you are not supposed to see those who are back stage directing. Additionally, I over looked the performers' costumes, the stage lighting, and set design; everything I took for granted. I thought I could see the props and everything that was strategically placed or used, but I missed them all. I was surprised at how these people in charge took the look of a run down playhouse and made it their stage. This was life on life's canvas and it was totally different from watching television. Everything became so tangible and real. For a moment I lost my self and really got into the play. I didn't think I was watching a group of people on a set acting for my entertainment, I felt I was actually watching life. As if I stepped out of my body for a moment and walked the streets seeing the life of these street kids. You can't exactly get that from television; your mind is constantly running when you watch this play. The fact that the stage was right in front of me does not compare to television. If I took one step forward I would have been on stage, if I wasn't already. One of the actors I felt breeze by me, and I could smell the smoke of another actor's cigarette. I kept having the feeling I was there, that the whole stage was really outside. The stage was the one aspect that kept me believing. The way everything was setup, the closeness it brought between the performers and the audience, and the sounds it created when the actors walked across it or banged on it. I felt apart of the stage and I guess that is why I felt so close to the action of the stories, and how I got lost in them. Going to this play was a new experience, but watching this play was a crash course in the emotion you can actually get from the way everything is setup. This new media had an impact on me that you can not get from television. And I've come to the assumption that you can save lots of money by going to good theatres like this, than by purchasing surround sound for television. You can hear the closeness with all the speakers you need, but you'll never get that tangible feeling as if the performers or the stage are really there.

Hindus Practice Many Rituals Collectively Known As Sansakaras Religion Essay Essays

Hindus Practice Many Rituals Collectively Known As Sansakaras Religion Essay Essays Hindus Practice Many Rituals Collectively Known As Sansakaras Religion Essay Essay Hindus Practice Many Rituals Collectively Known As Sansakaras Religion Essay Essay Hindus pattern many rites jointly known as Sansakaras. These rites or sanskaras depict events in the life rhythm of a Hindu individual. Harmonizing to the ancient texts in Hinduism, most important events in the life rhythm include Birth, Marriage, and Death. These Are Explained as Follows: Mix Christianity presentation Initiation Birth: In Hinduism, birth of a kid is considered a spiritual ceremonial, and involves many rites. Some of the common rites, practiced by about all Hindus at the clip of birth of a kid, and their significance are discussed below. These rites initiate a kid into Hinduism and are jointly referred to as birth rites. The first 1 is Garbhadhana or Impregnation rites. This ritual includes a planned sexual intercourse, between a hubby and his married woman, performed in a certain manner, to gestate the best possible babe. The sex during Garbhadhana is non for pleasance but for developing a good or godly psyche in the uterus of the married woman. Garbhadhana is strictly religious, and is considered to be really indispensable. It is required to dwell the universe with good psyches. This is explained by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, Sexual activity aimed at making godly kids is every bit good as God Himself. balam balavatam caham A kama-raga-vivarjitam A dharmaviruddho bhutesu A kamo smi bharatarsabha I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is non contrary to spiritual rules, O Godhead of the Bharatas ( Hindu ) . Jatakarma is the ritual performed to welcome the babe into this universe. It is performed right before the umbilical cord is cut. In this ritual, male parent of the kid feeds honey to the babe and chant supplications or mantras in babe s ear. This ritual is supposed to increase the aptitude of the kid and spiritually assist him or her to take a long and healthy life. In add-on, it represents that the presence of the kid is desired and appreciated in the household. Namakarana, intending to give a name, is the rite in which the kid is given a name, which is meaningful and animating. A good name is really of import for the kid because its significance reminds him of a intent or an aim in life and inspires him to carry through that aim. By and large there is a get-together, in which, Sweets are distributed among household and friends after a name has been given to the babe. Mundan is the ritual where, first haircut of the kid is performed. In this ritual, all the hairs on kid s caput are removed and poured into the nearest holy H2O organic structure. The remotion of these hairs signifies the remotion of any lacks in the kid, and is considered to excite growing of the nervous system. Another induction rite, called as Upanayana, is performed for male childs in Hinduism. It is carried out right before the pubescence starts. This ritual marks the 2nd birth of the kid as he begins his journey of religious self-construction. In this ceremonial, the male child acknowledges his responsibilities towards his faith and his privileges ensuing from Hinduism. During Upanayana ceremonial, a sacred yarn is tied around the waist of the male child. This thread consists of three separate symbolic togss intending to, worship God, show love and regard to parents, and learn from the spiritual instructor ( Hindu ) . Although, a kid is born into Hinduism by assorted birth rites, a male child kid is once more initiated into the faith through Upanayana ritual. Christian religion on the other manus, has few important specific rites for birth. One common pattern in Roman Catholics is where the female parent goes to the church, certain yearss after giving birth to a kid, to thank God for a successful birth. By making this, she re-enters her spiritual community after gestation, and therefore this pattern is sometimes referred to as a purity rite. The most important ritual associated with birth is baptism of the babe. It represents the babe s beginning into Christianity. It is by and large performed from 0 to 6 months after the birth of the babe. It is by and large performed by the curate of the church, when he pours the holy H2O and says, I baptise you ( or, The retainer of God ( name ) is baptized ) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit ( see Matthew 28:19 ) . Harmonizing to bible, baptism is a demand for redemption ( Mark 16:16 ; Titus 3:5 ) . Baptism pictures the decease and entombment of our old ego and our Resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ as Romans 6 Tells us: Or do you non cognize that every bit many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His decease? A Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into decease, that merely as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorification of the Father, even so we besides should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the similitude of His decease, surely we besides shall be in the similitude of His Resurrection, cognizing this, that our old adult male was crucified with Him, that the organic structure of wickedness might be done off with, that we should no longer be slaves of wickedness. For the decease that He ( Jesus ) died, He died to transgress one time for all ; A but the life that He lives, He lives to God. A Likewise you besides, reckon yourselves to be dead so to transgress, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ( Romans 6:3-6, 10-11, NKJV ) ( biblestudy ) . This poetry and its description in biblestudy.org clearly demarcates that the wickednesss of a individual are forgiven and washed off by acquiring baptized because through baptism, the individual symbolizes that he is sorry for all his wickednesss but now he has complete religion in Jesus, and is willing to populate a good life under the shadow of Jesus Christ. Although, infant baptism is performed shortly after the birth of a kid, it can be compared to the Hindu induction rite of Upanayana because of the similar intents of the two rites. After baptism, a Catholic kid is regarded as a member of the church and a complete relationship is established between the kid and the church. Therefore, it is clear that like Upanayana, Baptism marks the beginning of spiritual instruction. Confirmation to baptism occurs when the immature individual can knowingly and freely choose Christian religion, ( 21 cite this ) . This happens at an age similar to the age of Upanayana ritual in Hinduism. For both these rites, a cardinal alteration takes topographic point in the life of the individual undergoing the ritual, and this alteration is considered a metempsychosis as a fresh individuality with new religion, responsibilities, and privileges. Harmonizing to Christianity, a individual can non achieve redemption without being baptized, and baptism can be considered as an induction towards redemption by taking a good life and following the way of righteousness. Likewise, Upanayana ceremonial in Hinduism is the induction on the route to spiritual instruction that finally leads to salvation through good karma. However, unlike baptism, Upanayana rite is performed merely for male childs. In add-on, if an grownup wants to change over to christianity Marriage Death Beliefs Hindooism Christian religion Decision Hindu Child Birth, Rituals Related to Hindu Birth, Hindu Birth Samskars. Hindu Religious Portal, Hinduism, Hindu Religion. Web. 08 Nov. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.religiousportal.com/HinduChildbirth.html gt ; . What Does Baptism SYMBOLIZED? BibleStudy.org: You Have Questions. The Bible Has Answers! Web. 02 Nov. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.biblestudy.org/question/what-does-baptism-symbolize.html gt ; .

Supreme Court Decision Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supreme Court Decision - Essay Example The evidence culled through these text messages intercepted by the police, when considered, does establish beyond any doubt that the accused was indeed engaging in unreasonable activities, which jeopardized the lives of the innocent citizens. Thereby the initiation of the interception of the text messages of the accused by the police, considering the fact that the police was under an immense pressure to act in time, to avoid any further loss of life of the innocent citizens, was no way unreasonable. This act of the police when seen in the larger context seems totally reasonable. It does need to be mentioned that the â€Å"trespass doctrine† facilitated by Olmstead v. United States (1928) if applied to the situation under consideration, validate the interception of Doe’s text messages by the police without invoking any violation of the Fourth Amendment Rights, as the police while doing so no way violated the essential dignity of the accused as a human and as a citizen. Besides, the two pronged test propounded in Katz v. United States (1967), when applied to the issue under consideration does nullify the appeal made by the accused. While exchanging the text messages associated with his illegal activities, the accused was no way exhibiting an expectation of privacy as he was well aware that he was exchanging these text messages with the intention to facilitate his unlawful activities, and thereby, through the exercise of commonsense, was well aware that such messages and communications would attract the well deserved attention of the law and order machinery. Doe was well aware that he was relying for the exchange of these text messages on the services sold by the local cell phone carrier, and in the light of United States v. Miller (1975), Doe’s rights were not infringed upon if the company as a third party, entrusted his text messages to the police, guided by the belief that it was its legal and constitutional duty to help the police. Beside s,

What if Alexander Graham Bell Did Not Invent the Telephone Essay

What if Alexander Graham Bell Did Not Invent the Telephone - Essay Example High-end communication devices at present are products of a gradual and consistent innovation of telephone to become cellular phones or the so-called wireless communication devices. Now, consumers are no longer satisfied with the primitive capacity and purpose of telephones or cellular phones which is to be able to hear and talk to important people. With the invention of Internet by Tim Berners-Lee, phones are now capable of surfing the Web, tracking locations, and capturing images. Now, we ask, would we have the kind of luxury and convenience in doing our everyday tasks if, first and foremost, no one invented the telephone? What if Alexander Graham Bell did not think of creating a magnificent machine that allows people to speak to people separated by geographical distance? Well, the answer might vary and would depend on probabilities, like other inventors in the likes of Joseph Henry, who invented the electric telegraph, or Thomas Edison, could actually thought of inventing the tele phone. A reluctant response might be that cellular phones are impossible to surface, and the Internet remains a mystery to the humanity. This essay attempts to present the possibilities if Alexander Graham Bell had never created the electric telephone, and highlights the importance of this invention to humanity’s history. ... Meucci, among other telephone inventors, was reportedly the first â€Å"to have a functioning electric telephone† which he attempted to patent (Meucci 9). Then there was Elisha Gray who was also regarded as the one who first patented the telephone close with Bell’s filing of patency in 1876 (Evenson 3). There were conspiracies regarding who really is to be credited for the telephone’s invention, but the federal government credited Alexander Graham Bell for patenting the telephone’s creation (Evenson 3). Alexander Graham Bell undoubtedly has been part of the pages of world history. Bell is a notable inventor, scientist, and teacher. Born on March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bell was known for his pet name Alec (Feinstein 1). His contemporary, Samuel Morse, also invented a communication device, which was the telegraph, which enables the transmission of electrical impulses that result in dots and dashes (Feinstein 10). These dots and dashes represent the letters of the alphabet and can be interpreted using the Morse code (Feinstein 11). Although he received a patent in 1840, Morse’s electric telegraph had certain shortcomings. It did not cater the needs of ordinary people since it cannot be connected to their respective homes, and second, it was quite expensive. Feinstein wrote that, while the telegraph was a big leap towards the advances in communication, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone â€Å"truly conquered time and distance† and â€Å"create a world in which people were as close to each other as the nearest phone† (19). 3.0 Period of Natural Science and Technology Early and late nineteenth century was a period marked by the fall of European and Asian empires and the rise of the German, British, American, and Japanese

Business strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 3

Business strategy - Essay Example has conceded to the popular consensus that there is room for the larger iPhone in the world. This case study features iPhone 6/6+ product of the Apple Inc. and takes deeper analysis its business unit about the company’s external environment, its competitive position, and the value-addition proponents. Porter (1985) asserts that there are three major categories of the generic strategies; cost leadership, differentiation, and focus. As for Apple Inc., the focused differentiation and cost leadership strategy are the best for the company in adapting to the competitive environment while implementing the value adding activities. The cost leadership strategy has been strongly pursued by the Apple Inc. in its continued efforts to ensuring successful competitiveness. The cost leadership strategy has enabled the company to be cost efficiency while ensuring sustainable development of the company. By pursuing cost the leadership strategy, the company has been able to determine the prices of its products and services at competitive prices. Nilsson and Rapp (2005) on the other hand states that when a company can sustain the profits above its expected income then the company can be termed as having gained the competitive advantage over its rivals. Apple Inc. Introduced the iPads to act as the more portable version of their range of the personal computers; an intermediate between the Smartphones and laptops. The introduction of the iPhone 6/6+ by Apple Inc. creates the impression of the company’s continued adoption of the differentiation strategy. Capon (2008) asserts that differentiation strategy is the clever way for the business in the establishment of the large market share owing to the fact that buyers perceive the quality of the services or products in regard to the price. Apple Inc. has made sure that its iPhone possess its line of the applications that can be bought directly installed on the phone. The company has ensured that the iPhone

Role of Metformin for Treatment of Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus

Role of Metformin for Treatment of Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus The role of metformin in the treatment of type II Diabetes Mellitus Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a sever inherited or acquired disease which occurs when either pancreas does not produce enough insulin, which characterises type I diabetes and it is most commonly diagnosed in children, or the insulin that has been produced does not get used by the body effectively, type II diabetes and therefore patients will have abnormally high level of glucose. Type II diabetes was previously called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes (World Health Organisation, WHO website). The latest estimate of the number of diabetics worldwide in 2001 by the World health Organisation (WHO) is 171 million and this figure is likely to be doubled by 2030 (WHO website). A recent study conducted in the UK using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) illustrate that the mortality rate is twice as high for patients with diabetes type II than those without it (Mulnier et al, 2006). The prevalence of type II diabetes is increasing rapidly both in the UK and worldwide. It has increased by 54% (from 2.8% to 4.3%) and the incidence has increased by 63% over the past decade (Gonzalez, 2009). In most of the cases Type II diabetes is associated with another disorder, obesity, (Krentz et al, 2008). Hence such high increase in the incidence rate for type II diabetes could be due to the increased rate of obesity over past few years as the life style of the population is generally getting poorer and 20% of the population is now obese (UK Obesity Statistics). Understanding and treatment of diabetes has advanced throughout the twentieth century and since insulin has been discovered, many antidiabetic therapies and oral agents such as, Sulphonylureas and Biguanides have been developed to improve glycaemia. Sulphonylurea was the first oral therapy to be discovered for diabetes. It is insulin secretagogues and hence it combats the abnormally high level of blood glucose but it also causes hypoglycaemia and weight gain as it can prolong insulin secretion (Warrell et al, 2006). Biguanides is a class of drugs that are considered antihyperglycemic agents. Metformin is a primary member of this class and it has surpassed sulfonylureas as the most prescribed oral antidiabetic drug in the UK and most parts of the world (Filion, 2009). Metformin is now the most popular treatment for diabetes type II as a study carried out using The Health Improvement database from 1966 to 2005 in the UK shows that only a small number of patients were treated with insul in and its use did not change significantly over the time of study period, in 1966 Sulphonylurea was the most common drug and metformin was relatively less common but by 2005 the use of Sulphonylurea had decreased remarkably and there had been a parallel increase in the use of metformin as a therapy for diabetes (Gonzalez, 2009). In 2006 the American Diabetes Association recommended it as the first drug of choice for patients. In the 15th edition of the Model list of Essential Medicine by WHO, metformin is one of the only two antidebetic oral drug agents (the other is glibenclamide) stated there (WHO, 2007). The other members of biguanides drug class are phenformin and buformin however these two drugs are no longer used in many countries because it carries a very high risk of lactic acidosis. Historical development: In medieval times, French lilac or Goats rue known as Galega officinalis was used as a remedy for intense urination associated with the disease that is now known as diabetes mellitus and the active ingredient in the French lilac that had blood glucose lowering properties was discovered as galegine or isomyleneguanidine, but later on it was discovered that this ingredient was toxic in the plant that caused death of grazing animals (Witters, 2001). In 1918, guanidine was discovered to be blood glucose lowering agent but then it was also found that it is too toxic to be used as a therapy (Foye, 2007). Whilst guanidine itself and some of its other derivatives were considered to be too toxic to be used for diabetes mellitus treatment, the biguanides, two linked guanidine, proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of diabetes (Witters, 2001). In the 1920s, in a search for these guanidine-containing compounds with antidiabetic activities, phenformin, buformin and metformin were discovered. Although they were known to have glucose lowering properties it was not until 1957 when these biguanides were tried on man and introduced clinically in Europe (Gottlieb Auld, 1962, Reitman Schadt, 2007). For the first time in a medical literature by Ungar et al (1957, as cited by Oubre et al 1997) biguanides were described as an efficacious new class of oral drug for the treatment of diabetes. Phenformin which is similar to metformin in structure was very popular in 1960s but in early 1970s it was found to be associated with lactic acidosis and by 1976 clinical studies proved that the hazards of phenformin treatment outweighed its benefits and therefore, phenformin and all the products containing phenformin were withdrawn by the Ministry of Health and buformin was also withdrawn from many countries for the same reason (WHO, 2003). Howe ver, metformin was proved to be safer and did not have same risk of lactic acidosis if appropriately prescribed, and it took another twenty years after a safe and effective use in the Europe until United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for use in the United States (Reitman Schadt, 2007). Glucophage the trade name of metformin, formulated by a drug company called Bristol-Myers Squibb, was the first brand to be marketed in the United States (U.S. FDA). Metformin used to be only prescribed for diabetes but then studies published in European journal of clinical investigation 1998 proved that metformin can have a significant effect on reducing weight as well (Paolisso et al, 1998). Meformin has now been used for over 50 years and it has established to be first-line drug of choice for the treatment of diabetes type II, but to get its maximum effect in the anticipation to reduce insulin resistance, weight loss and also to contribute in the improvement of cardiovascular diseases,the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes strongly recommend to use metformin along with lifestyle intervention (Papanas Maltezos, 2009). Mode of Action/ Physiological Effects: Metformin is an antidiabetic oral drug that belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides. It acts by lowering the amount of glucose that liver makes on its own in the body hence it has antihyperglycaemic effects. It was licensed as antihyperglycaemic medication in Europe in 1970s, at that time there was only little known about the mode of action and its physiological effects on body. Despite metformin being in use since 1950s, its cellular mechanism of action is not definite. It primarily acts by inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver and hence it reduces the hepatic glucose output; it has also been shown to enhance glucose uptake in the muscles and improve peripheral insulin sensitivity (Ronco et al, 2008). Insulin is a very powerful anabolic hormone and it is involved in the synthesis and storage of glucose, lipid, and amino acid/protein. When blood glucose level rises, insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. As described by Gropper et al (2008) in their book, it stimulates the uptake of glucose by muscle cells and adipocytes, it also inhibits the gluconeogenesis by the liver to bring about an overall decrease in plasma glucose level. Insulin binds to a specific receptor on the plasma membrane of muscle cells and adipocytes which initiates a cascade of second messenger system that stimulates the tubulovesicle-enclosed GLUT4 glucose transporters to be translocated to the plasma membrane. Insulin also activates the enzyme glycogen synthase and inhibits glycogen phosphorylase and together they help store glucose in the form of glycogen. Hence this way glucose is removed from the blood circulation and is brought to normal level (Gropper et al, 2008). The majority of individuals with type II diabetes are insulin resistant. They have plenty of insulin circulating but their body is not able to respond to it either by having defective or insufficient number of insulin receptors therefore, glucose cannot enter the cells resulting in increased level of plasma glucose. Pancreas continues to produce more insulin in an effort to lower the increased level of glucose and eventually when an individual can no longer produce enough insulin to compensate for the rise, type 2 diabetes develops (Kaufman, 2008). Figure 1shows an overview of antihyoerglycaemic effect of metformin in type II diabetes mellitus. Metformin has various metabolic effects on lowering the hyperglycaemia. It partially acts by improving insulin action and partially by non-directly insulin dependent effects (Krentz Bailey, 2005). Metformin suppresses the hepatic glucose output by decreasing gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and fatty acid oxidation and this is the most evident principal blood glucose lowering mechanism and it does so by mainly increasing insulin sensitivity (Krentz Bailey, 2005). In the skeletal muscles metformin increases the insulin mediated glucose uptake and glycogen formation (glycogenesis), it also reduces the fatty acid oxidation. These changes in the muscle cells increase glucose transporters to move to the plasma membrane surface so that glucose can enter the cells (Krentz Bailey, 2005). Another way in which metformin lowers hyperglycaemia is via increasing the anaerobic metabolism of glucose which produces lactate as a by-product and this contributes in lowering the amount of glucose available to move to the serosal side from the lumen, lactate is taken to the liver via portal system (Bailey et al, 2008). Another way in which metformin works independent of insulin action to lower glucose is via increasing the splancchic glucose turn over (Krentz Bailey, 2005). The effect of metformin on skeletal muscles and adipose tissues in improving glucose utilisation in them appears to work through improved binding of insulin to its receptors on the plasma membranes of these cells and therefore, metformin seems to be ineffective without some residual functioning islet cells (Porte et al, 2002). Metformin has no direct effect on insulin secretion in contrast to other antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas, therefore it does not cause hypoglycaemia rather in clinical practice it shows anti-hyperglycaemic actions (Porte et al, 2002). The level of glucose throughout the day changes, it is typically higher after eating and lower in the fasting state. The fasting plasma glucose concentration is measured by the HbA1c test, HbA1c is a glycosylates haemologlibin that is glucose attached with hamemoglobin so the higher the concentration of glucose the higher the level of HbA1c ( Medline Encyclopaedia, 2009). A fasting glucose level lower than 6mmol/l or 7% is normal in non-pregnant individuals and an elevated level shows that either the patient is diabetic or the patient has impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance (Bupas health information factsheet, 2008; American diabetes association, 2009). It is important for type II diabetes patients to achieve normal or near-normal glycaemic control with their oral anti hyperglycaemic medications. There are numerous studies that show the effect of metformin decreasing the fasting plasma glucose level. Such as a study by Lozzo (2003), done on type II diabetes patients over 26 weeks with metformin increased the whole-body insulin sensitivity and that was likely to be determined by the reduction in HbA1c and body weight. A similar study done on patients with newly diagnosed Type II diabetes mellitus showed that adding metformin to insulin therapy effectively decreased the HbA1c level from 10.8 to 5.9% and 100% patients achieved an HbA1c less than 7% (Lingvay, 2007). Metformin has also been suggested to work by a biochemical pathway through activation of a protein kinase enzyme 5 adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Its activity is regulated by the depletion in ATP (Adenosin tri-phosphate) and raised level of AMP when energy demand increases, such as in a exercising muscle, thus it is a â€Å"metabolic stress-sensing enzyme† that regulates the energy demand and energy production balance by modulating various metabolic pathways that bring about glucose, protein and fatty acid metabolism homeostasis (Hawley Zierath, 2008). In order for metformin to be effective in the inhibition of the production of glucose, activation of AMPK is required (Zhou, 2001). Kim et al (2008) published a study in 2008 that further described the mechanism of metformin through the activation of AMPK. This study was done on hepatocytes and it showed that through AMPK-dependant pathway metformin increased the gene expression of small heterodimer pa rtner, (SHP), SHP protein represses the transcriptional activity of a number of nuclear reptors including hepatocyte nuclear factor, and that in turn inhibits the expression of the hepatic gluconeogenic genes PEPCK and Glc-6-pase, these are the two enzymes that perform a key role in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose levels and inhibition of these enzyme gene expression lead to the hepatic glucose production in vivo. Metformin has advantageous effects on atherosclerosis by decreasing Low Density Lipoprotein levels by about 0.26 mmol/L (10 mg/dL), whereas other oral agents appear to have no obvious effects on LDL cholesterol levels (Bolen et al, 2007). Recent prospective and retrospective studies confirm this drug not only being safe for its glucose lowering effects but also indicate its potential anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effects (Scarpello Howlett, 2008). In the UKPD (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) a randomised trial on obese and overweight patients with initial metformin monotherapy showed a significant reduction in myocardial infarction and diabetes related deaths, it showed 39% decrease in heart attacks and 36% decrease overall mortality rate; metformin was found to be more effective than any other medication with regards to the strokes and overall mortality rate in overweight patients (Krentz Bailey 2005). Kooy et al (2009) investigated whether metformin had sus tained beneficial effects on metabolic control and risk of cardiovascular disease. After a follow-up period of 4.3 years it was found that metformin added to insulin in type II diabetic patients improved body weight, glycaemic control and it reduced the risk of macravascular disease. A 2007 systematic review evaluating antidiabetic agents and outcomes in patients with both diabetes and heart failure showed that metformin is the only antidiabetic agent that is not associated with harm in patients with heart failure and diabetes. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies, two of three studies showed association of metformin with reduced all cause mortality and no association with increased hospital admissions. (Eurich et al, 2007) Pharmacokinetics The chemical name of biguanide is  1-(Diaminomethylidene)guanidine (chemical  formula C2H7N5) and it includes compounds that  have biguanide structure. Figure 2 shows the  molecular structure of metformin that has  biguanide structure with two methyl groups  added on the amine group of the first carbon  atom therefore its chemical name being  1,1-dimethylbiguanide and chemical formula  C4H11N5 (Porte et al, 2002). Metformin is taken orally so it has to pass through the digestive system in order to get into the systemic circulation. It is absorbed from the small intestine and does not get metabolised, under fasting conditions the Bioavailability of metformin ranges between 40%-60% (Foye, 2007). From the gastrointestine it gets completely absorbed after 6 hours of oral administration and after absorption it is rapidly distributed and in the plasma it is completely undetectable after 24 hours; the plasma concentration of metformin reaches its peak value within three hours of its oral administration (Papanas maltedoz, 2009). Unlike other biguanides such as phenformin the binding of metformin to plasma protein is negligible and therefore it does not seem to interact with highly plasma protein bound drugs such as sulphonamides and is excreted unchanged (Foye, 2007). Metformin does not get metabolised by the liver and therefore is excreted in the urine from the body as unmetabolised drug through the active tubular excretion and about 30% of an oral dose is excreted through faeces that may be unabsorbed metformin and that retain in the gastrointestinal tract (Porte et al, 2002). It has plasma half life of about 2 to 5 hours in patients with normal renal function but and renal function impairments may lead to retention of metformin in the blood plasma (Foye, 2007). According to Diabetes UK the daily dosage of metformin should be started from 500mg and then gradually increased to a maximum of 2550mg per day but it is entirely individualistic that it depends on the health of individual to consider what dosage is required. Generic metformin is sold in the form of tablets. A slow or extended release preparation of metformin (Glucophage XR ®), introduced in 2004 can act over 24 hours, it has been designed to release metformin slowly over a longer period of time than standard metformin (acts over 8-12 hours) and so its half life is increased to four to eight hours. Timmins et al (2005), in their study on 16 volunteers with 1000mg standard metformin dose twice a day or 2000mg Glucophage XR ® once a day, found out that the pharmacokinetics parameters are similar in Glucophage XR ® to standard metformin, but Glucophage XR ® it is evident to report fewer gastrointestinal side effects than standard metformin so patients who cannot tolerate standard metformin can switch to Glucophage XR ® (Feher et al, 2007). Side effects and contradictions When prescribed appropriately the most common adverse side effects of metformin include a change in taste, nausea or vomiting, abdominal distension or gas, loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rashes or urticaria, rare – Lactic acidosis (Warrell et al, 2006). These problems are usually mild and occur in the first few weeks for taking the medication but it may discourage the patient from taking the drug, starting the medication in low dosage and increasing it slowly help reduce these side effects (Warrell et al, 2006). In clinical trial done on a total of 286 subjects, 141 were given metformin and the rest were put on placebo. This trial found that 53.2% of subjects who were given Metformin reported diarrhea in comparison with 11.7% for those on placebo, and 25.5% subjects on metformin reported nausea/vomiting compared with 8.3% for those on placebo (Drug Facts and Comparisons, 2005). Compared with any other antidiabetic oral drug metformin is most associated with gastrointestinal distress (Bolen et al, 2007). Phenformin was withdrawn from its theraputical use because of its association with lactic acidosis. Metformin which is similar in structure to phenformin has also been associated with lactic acidosis; however the risk associated with metformin is ten times lower than phenformin (Warrell et al, 2006). A case control analysis on the study population of 50,048 type 2 diabetic subjects using the U.K – based General Practice Research Database found out that the rate of incidence of lactic acidosis per 100,000 person-years is 3.3 cases amongst metformin users (Bodmer et al. 2008). Lactic acid is a by-product of metabolism and it becomes toxic if it is not neutralised fast enough. Lactic acidosis associated with metformin is a very severe and potentially fatal condition that can be avoided easily if the drug is prescribed carefully (Fitzgerald et al, 2009). It arises by the mode of action of metformin, that is the inhibition of hepatic gluconeogensis- a process that consumes lactate, produced by glycolysis, continuously to produce glucose (Warrell et al, 2006). Adopted from Fitzgerald et al. BMJ 2009 In normal conditions during respiration glucose is broken down into two pyruvate molecules in the first step (glycolysis), in the presence of enough oxygen mitochondria oxidises the pyruvate into CO2 and H2O through Kreb cycle by the use of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme. But if there is not enough oxygen present, the mitochondria cannot oxidise all of pyruvate so this excess amount of pyruvate is converted into lactate by the lactate dehydrogenase and this lactate is then used in the process of gluconeogenses in the liver. (Fitzgerald et al, 2009; Nicks A, 2009) As shown in figure 3, at site A metformin decreases the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and the conversion of pyruvate into CO2 and H2O, therefore at site B it enhancing the anaerobic metabolism even in the presence of enough oxygen and resulting in the increased production of lactate and as metformin inhibits the process of gluconeogenses in the liver, the lactate is not used up and is built up to the toxic extent. Lactic acidosis is the built up of lactate level in the blood (usually >5 mMol/L). (Nicks A, 2009; Fitzgerald et al, 2009) As indicated in figure 3, lactate is excreted 70% by liver, 5% by kidneys therefore liver or renal dysfunctions lead to the retention of lactate and hence to a severe form of lactic acidoses even in the absence of metformin and because metformin is excreted by kidneys if kidneys do not function properly then metformin builds up and hence the severity of lactic acidosis is even greater (Misbin, 2004). The most common contraindications to the use of metformin in people with type II diabetes are renal and liver dysfunctions, congestive heart failure and advanced age, ≠¥ 80 years, and the mortality rate of lactic acidosis is close to 50% (McCormack et al, 2005). But although heart failure has long been known as a contraindication for metformin use a systemic review 2007 showed that metformin is the only anti-diabetic drug that is not associated with any harm in patients withheart failure Eurich et al, 2007). A Medline searched review on the evidence for the use of metformin in the presence of these contradictions concludes that metformin treatment alone does not result in lactic acidosis unless other contributing factors exist as well (Tahrani et al, 2007). However if ingested in toxic doses or in the presence of renal elimination impairment, lactic acidosis does occur (Fitzgerald et al, 2009). The renal function of patients using metfomin should be regularly monitored. It showed be withdrawn if there is any disturbance in the renal function found. Figure 4 shows the current recommendations on contraindications and guidelines for the withdrawal of metformin. Metformin dose should be reviewed if serum creatinine level is greater than 130  µmol/l and a cut-off serum creatinine level above which metformin should be stopped is 150 µmol/l (Fitzgerald et al, 2009). It should be withdrawn during suspected tissue hypoxia that is a condition in which body tissues are deprived of adequate oxygen so cells are forced to respire anaerobically. Patients aged greater than 80 years are at greater risk because they are more likely to have heart problems and kidney or hepatic dysfunctions and patients should be more careful about their alcohol intake while they are on metformin because alcohol can seriously harm liver and that can lead to lactic acidosis (Tahrani et al. BMJ 2007). Metfor min should be withdrawn before any radiographical procedures involving iodinated contrast and should remain discontinued until after three days as this contrast dye may temporarily impair kidney function and cause the retention of metformin indirectly leading to lactic acidosis (Thomsen andMorcos, 2003) â€Å"Review dose of metformin * If serum creatinine is >130  µmol/l or estimated glomerular filtration rate is Stop metformin * If serum creatinine is >150  µmol/l or estimated glomerular filtration rate is Withdraw metformin* * During periods of suspected tissue hypoxia (such as myocardial infarction, sepsis) * For three days after use of contrast medium that contains iodine * Two days before general anaesthesia *Reinstate when renal function stabilises Contraindications * Renal dysfunction * Congestive cardiac failure needing drug treatment * Hypersensitivity to metformin * Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis * Impaired hepatic function Precautions * Age >80 years until renal dysfunction ruled out * Acute myocardial infarction * Radiological studies involving iodinated contrast * Surgical procedures * Alcohol intake † Salpeter et al (2003), in a system review considered 194 studies published between 1, 1959, and March 31, 2002 that evaluated metformin mono therapy or in combination with other treatments for at least one month, in data from these 194 studies there were no fatal or nonfatal lactic acidosis cases found in 36,893 patient-years in the metformin group or in 30,109 patients-years in the nonmetformin or placebo group. It also did not find any difference in lactate levels in metformin therapy and placebo or other non-biguanide therapies. This systemic review concluded that there is no evidence to support association of metformin therapy with increased risk of lactic acidosis or increased lactate level compared with other antihyperglycemic treatments provided that the drugs are prescribed in a suitable dose and all the contraindications are taken into account. Another side effect to the use of metformin is that when it is used in long term it is associated with malabsorption of vitamin B12 (Ting et al, 2006). Combination with other antidiabetic drugs Metformin monotherapy works well with life style interventions in type II diabetic patients but when Type II Diabetes is not controlled with Metformin monotherapy adequately it is often combined with other antidiabetic drugs to maximise its effect. The combination of metformin with rosiglitazone as a single product is known as Avandame, itwas approved by the FDA in October 2002 for the treatment of diabetes and although it has not been appraised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) yet it is often prescribed to patients with type II diabetes who fail to control their glycaemia despite the maximum dose of metformin (Diabetes UK, 2009). The active constituent of Avandamet, metformin and rosiglitazone,have different mechanism of action complementing the action of each other. The tolerability profile of Avandamet is similar to that of metformin, it is more effective in terms of lowering the HbA1c level than metformin or rosiglitazone (Wellington, 2005). Pooled data from two double-blind studies that involved 550 patients randomised to be given metformin with rosiglitazone or placebo patients were divided into obese, overweight or non-overweight. Patients from all groups improved their level of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) to a clinically important extent but the greatest improvement was found in the obese group, these patients improved their glycaemic control, beta cell function and insulin sensitivity with the addition of rosiglitazone to metformin than those who received placebo/metformin (Jones et al, 2003). Metformin can be combined with glyburide which is a member of sulphonylureas and it acts by enhancing insulin release from the cell of pancrease. The combination of these two drugs is proves to be successful in improving the glycaemic control in patients with type II diabetes Studies, such as sixteen week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 4-arm and parallel clinical trial study (Chien et al, 2007) that involved a total of 100 Chinese patients with type II diabetes and out of which 76 were randomly given metformin 500mg, glyburide 5mg, glyburide/metformin 2.5 mg/500 mg or glyburide/metformin 5.0mg/500mg. After 16 weeks, those who received a combination of both drugs had a greater decrease in both fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c compared with those who received either metformin or glyburide. Insulin therapy alone sometimes fails in patients for the treatment of type II diabetes so metformin can be added to improve the sensitivity of insulin and this combination of two drugs results in superior glycaemic control compared with metformin or insulin alone and it also minimizes the weight gain in insulin therapy ( Wulffele et al, 2002). Continued use of metformin after insulin introduction patients with type II diabetes not only reduce weight and improve glycaemic control but have beneficial effect on cardiovascular outcomes (Kooy, 2009). Addition of pioglitazone to metformin is another combination for the treatment of type II diabetes, this is shown in double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial done by Kaku (2009), compared with metformin monotherapy patients who received pioglitazone plus metformin improved their HbA1C by mean 0.67% and they significantly improved their fasting glucose level and other important markers such as free fatty acids, adiponectin and HDL, that are linked with increased insulin resistance and cardiovascular risks. Metformin can also be combined with other antidiabetic oral agents as a triple therapy for diabetes type II. In a study which was supported by Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, 365 patients who were given metformin/glyburide treatment prior to a 24-week double-blind treatment were either assigned to rosiglitazone or placebo while carrying on with metformin, 40% of those patients who received rosiglitazone in addition to metformin/glyburide were able to achieve final HbA1c less than 7.0% and this study concluded that combination of rosiglitazone to metformin/glyburide is â€Å"an effective therapeutic strategy† for those who are unable to control their glycaemia and this treatment is beneficial for lowering HbA1C and fasting plasma glucose levels (Dailey et al, 2004). Who should be treated? Metformin is a very effective antihyperglaecamic drug for patients with diabetes type II and the American Diabetes Association (2006) recommended it as the first drug of choice for patients. Metformin is a preferred treatment for obese diabetics. In most of the cases Type II diabetes is associated with another disorder, obesity (Krentz et al, 2008). Obesity increases the risk of developing type II diabetes and many antidiabetic drugs increase body weight whereas, metformin demonstrates a significant weight loss in type II diabetic patients, Golay (2007) in his review on summarising the effect of metformin on body weight confirms that metformin has been shown to induce weight loss in nondiabetic obese patients, although long term studies on these patients are very rare. Therefore patients with obesity and on the risk of developing diabetes type II should start on metformin. Metformin is also effective with regards to strokes in obese/overweight patients i.e. those on the risk of developing diabetes. UKPD showed a significant reduction in myocardial

Tumors or Lesions to the Hypothalamus Patient :: Neurology Neurological Papers Research

Tumors or Lesions to the Hypothalamus Patient The Hypothalamus is a small area near the base of the brain just ventral to the thalamus. It has widespread connections with the rest of the forebrain and the midbrain. Partly through nerves and partly through hypothalamic hormones, the hypothalamus conveys messages to the pituitary gland, altering its release of hormones (Kalat, 2003). Any type of damage to a hypothalamic nucleus, such as tumors or lesions, may lead to abnormalities in one or more motivated behaviors, such as feeding, drinking, temperature regulation, sexual behavior, fighting, or activity level. The exact cause of hypothalamic tumors is not known. It is likely that they result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In children, most hypothalamic tumors are gliomas. Gliomas are a common type of brain tumor that results from the abnormal growth of glial cells, which are a type of cells that support nerve cells. Gliomas can occur at any age but they are often more aggressive in adults than children. In adults, tumors in the hypothalamus are more likely to be metastatic (resulting form the spread of cancer form another organ to the hypothalamus) than they are when they occur in children. Peter Heage, of Colorado, was diagnosed with a hypothalamic brain tumor. He said that he was having headaches too often, and they were different from most headaches he had in the past. He would forget things, and then forget more often. He said he had a vague feeling that something just wasn’t right. One day he had a seizure while he was at work. After seeing his physician, he told him that he had some of the common symptoms of a brain tumor. Brain tumors have a variety of symptoms ranging from headache to stroke. Seizures may be the initial manifestation of a brain tumor, and eventually as many as 30% of patients with brain tumors will develop seizures. Gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg may occur. Unsteadiness or imbalance, and double vision may occur, especially if it is associated with headache. Loss of vision in one or both eyes

Children in Foster Care Essay

Statement: Upon ageing out of the foster care system, foster kids end up either dead, homeless or incarcerated due to lack of independent living skills and lack of knowledge about programs in their communities! Due to many children being so displaced and neglected, it is hard to provide for children because foster homes are overcrowded. Due to lack of financial stability roughly 20,000- 100,00 children in the United States are discharged to live on their own while approximately 1,100 young adults are discharged and left to fend for themselves throughout the country.† Having reached the age, they are presumed to be productive, self reliant and fully self sufficient† (Retrieved January 2, 2013, from www.childrenaidsociety.org). Unfortunately, these young adolescents are looked at as a failure before even given a chance in society due to not growing up under the best circumstances. Already troubled by their childhood experiences of neglect, abandonment and abuse, the vast majority of young people leave the system without knowledge, skills, experience, habits and relationships that can engage them in connective and productive programs within their communities. With this in mind, it also stops them from being connected members of society. According to statistics â€Å"foster children that age out of the system are far more likely to encounter poverty, homelessness, compromised health, unemployment and incarceration† (Retrieved December 29, 2012, from www.angelsfoster.org). Having access to both resources and programs during and aftercare can help alleviate alot of tension that children in the system encounter when trying to maintain and survive on their own. If the United States government help foster care agencies foster more programs and provide adequate funding in the right areas, then foster children would have more knowledge and skills when it comes down to independency. Without any friends, social workers, or dependent foster parents to turn to for help or assistance, these young people are pre dominantly at greater risk of becoming homeless, jobless, incarcerated or dead. According to statistics, young people discharged to themselves in different states have high numbers of poor preparation and independent living skills. â€Å"12-30 percent struggled with homelessness, 40-63 percent did not complete high school, 25-55 percent were unemployed and those employed had earnings far below the poverty line. 31-41 percent were arrested, 18-26 percent were incarcerated 12-18 months after leaving the system† ( Retrieved January 2, 2013 from www.whitehousetaskforceondisadvantagedyouth).

The Language of War.An analysis of how understanding and sup essays

The Language of War.An analysis of how understanding and sup essays An analysis of how understanding and support of war is constructed through media texts specifically newspapers. In 1982 I was not old enough to fully understand what was happening when my country went to war with Argentina over a group of islands called The Falklands. However, I was old enough to understand the comments of my parents when they discussed the situation, as well as the headlines they had read in the papers. One such comment being something I have since heard repeated time and time again from various people; this being on the Sun newspapers headlines throughout the conflict. One of these headlines was GOTCHA, splashed over the front page when the first major incident happened the sinking of the Belgrano on May 2nd 1982 (Greenslade, 2002); an event that cost many Argentine lives. In this paper I am going to discuss the ways in which newspapers report on war and terrorism, using language such as the Suns example above, and the impact that they are able to achieve on their readers. I am going to argue that newspapers, along with other media, are a tool for constructing both support and understanding of any conflict, thus being a major propaganda machine, without this ever being fully noted by the mass audience. I will begin by making historic reference to propaganda in the First World War, as discussed by Noam Chomsky, going on to look at more recent conflicts that have seen the use of media propaganda specifically The Gulf War. I will draw together the information discussed by looking at the most recent examples of press propaganda on the war in Afghanistan, in the aftermath of the World Trade Centre attacks on 11th September 2001. The Dean of American Journalists, Walter Lippmann is quoted in Chomsky as saying, ...a... revolution in the art of democracy could be used to manufacture consent, i.e. gain public agreement on things...

Bridge Capital Investors Example

Bridge Capital Investors Example Bridge Capital Investors – Case Study Example ï » ¿Bridge Capital Investors As a result of the financial crisis in 1983, Hindman is faced several challenges in financing their company. Increasing construction costs are almost making the Hindman to run out of cash in financing the construction projects. Competition from other similar companies poses a threat to Hindman’s and Jiffy lube company (Jeffry, 2003, 519). However, Hindman has faced some financing alternatives towards provision of funds to the companies his has shares in, that is, the W.Jame Hindman ltd and Jiffy lube. Hindman with his group came up with the idea of financing their companies with their interests in which they had a large market share of the interests worth $3.4 million. To finance their business, they also had a second alternative of selling their partnership interests. In his interests, Hindman had no tax basis being an advantage to the companies since income taxes would have reduced their interests by a big portion as a result of selling their partnership interests (Jeffry, 2003, 520). . Also this second alternative received a back up from Ernst and Whinney who reviewed the option and saw it good. They helped Hindman and his team to carry out transaction that was tax-free exchange under the internal revenue code. The two transferred their interest to the Hindman’s company on the existing tax basis so as to be sold to finance the companies. Jiffy lube realized a lot of money from the sale of partnership interests. The Hindman strategy towards the financing of the company is to use their interests as the financial resources. In his strategy for Jiffy lube, hind man proposed that they adapt the McDonalds plan of the quick oil change business. In this strategy they were to have at least 270 centers put in operation by 1985 and by 1990 they should have already opened more that 1000 service centers. The lube Jiffy to which Hindman is a partner also plans to sale franchises to cater for some costs such as advertisement (Jeffry, 2003, 521). The Jiffy lube company plan to construct real estate and establishment of new franchises. 50% of franchises require financing from their real estates and construction financing. By 1985 the company plotted to raise $10 million to finance all the projects it had to undertake. This amount was to be sourced from Old Court Saving and Loans. The amount was enough to cater all needs at the point when the budget was done. For this case Jiffy lube was to work with Shearson Lehmon Brothers (Jeffry, 2003, 522). . However, as the Jiffy Lube project was in progress the Old Court Saving and Loans collapsed when it had financed only 25 out of 37 centers Jiffy lube had put in its plan. Other financial institutions were not willing to support the continuity of the project. After the collapse, the Hindman bargaining position was to look for another financial institution to complete the project. Hindman says that, what was to go wrong went wrong in this case. Hindman did not give up with the situation as he had to follow up with the Old Court. Despite his efforts he could not succeed as the state had snatched all documents and thus the first planned $10 million could not cater for the whole project. In the Bridge Capital Investors, Alex Brown & sons suggested that $10 million be raised in equity of the partnership real estate. The partnership in this case could get $40 million to replace the loan from Old Court and enable completion of the Jiffy Lube projects. Despite the confidence that hind man had over all the negotiation they had within the Bridge Capital investors and the financial institution as the Ernst and Whinney discouraged the Alex Brown not to get involved with anything that the Old court had involved with (Jeffry, 2003, 522). . The proposed financing by Jiffy lube did not work as it was planned and thus severe consequences put the Jiffy lube into a threat of collapsing. Being that the company could not wait for the funding from saving and loan, the company had to stop some of its cash payment on real estate purchases. The contractors to Jiffy lube line up while those people who expected to get money from franchises relied on the already completed service centers. Also a long delay to complete the project of Jiffy lube could also damage the strategy of this company (Jeffry, 2003, 523). . To avoid some of the laying consequences, Jiffy lube had to finance its construction. They had to use the cash they had kept in the reserve. Although the money from the company’s reserve was not enough for the completion of the project, Hindman had to fill the gap by doing personal financing. Also since the franchises were the main selling agents for the Jiffy lube products, the company had to give full support to them despite they needed more resources to be established (Jeffry, 2003, 524). . Despite the efforts by the Jiffy Lube Company and Hindman, there was still cash shortage. A meeting between the two entrepreneurs and Hindman a loan of one million was secured which was required to finance the arising needs in the company. After the Old court had negotiated with the state on its allegations, it later extended a loan of $4 million which could finance the projects Jiffy lube had initiated. Therefore, the Jiffy lube to enable its survival has followed short term strategies (Jeffry, 2003, 525). . Reference: Jeffry Timmons. New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century with Powerweb and New Business Mentor. New York: McGraw Hill, 2003, 519-525

Research proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Research Proposal Example Increased sales is one of the potential benefits of customer relationship managent and results from identification and utilization of customers’ needs. Market expansion and higher profit margins are other benefits that organizations may reap from implementing customer relationship management. In addition, developing an understanding of customers’ needs ensures utility among the customers, a factor that also ensures customer retention and even marketing through customers’ testimonies. Customer relationship management also has an ultimate effect of decreasing an organization’s sales and other marketing expenses (Chaturvedi 2009, p. 5). Different approaches and techniques, however, exist that determine banks’ application of customer relationship management and may be a factor to the current trend in application of the management approach in the financing sector and establish a difference in application of customer relationship management by different t ypes of players in the sector (Rai and Singh 2012, n.p.). The study focuses on the current trend among banks and micro-finance institutions in the United Kingdom. Customer relationship management offers numerous advantages towards competitive advantage, should an organization implement it. This study seeks to investigate the use of the management towards these benefits with the aim of identifying possible inefficient application and creating awareness among the target organizations towars higher competitiveness and customer utility. Identifying trend in application of the managent and comparing this with trends in applicable technologies for customer relationship management will help inform the target population of necessary changes in the applications. In addition, understanding applications of customer relationship management, as applied by banks and other micro-finance organizations, will help in integrating techniques in the management branch, and

HR Strategic Linkages Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HR Strategic Linkages - Assignment Example HR  department allows the business and the employees to be on the same page and it is the medium between them. It supports the business strategy by encouraging employees to work harder and more efficiently. HR works closely with the employees which in turn benefits the organization as a whole.   An important factor for continuous competitive success is how a company manages its human capital. Investments in human capital can result in better organizational performance and increased productivity which can further improve its financial position. Without it, an organization can lose its efficient production capabilities. Secondly, HR can also help an organization to achieve its goals associated with growth and development. It can help by recruiting employees and determining training needs. It can also help by attracting capable employees and by modifying job requirements. Internally, HR can help by analyzing those parts of a organization which need improvement and introduce ways to improve the performance feedback procedures. It can help as a strategic partner by reorganizing the management structure to make efficient use of its resources. Including HR as a strategic business partner enables better decision making. What benefits do you think the employees derive from this arrangement? As a result of this arrangement, employees receive a lot of benefits. To build human capital, HR develops strategies for finding the best talent, enhancing their knowledge and skills through training programs. Employees will begin to have a deeper understanding of how the organization works. The employees will benefit because HR will initially recruit internally so the employees will get the first opportunity to develop new skills and tasks. Task and skill analyses will further highlight the needs of employees. HR will also introduce more recruiting tools and will give all the employees opportunities for professional and personal development. Employees will also benefit as HR wil l provide compensation and bonuses in order to reward people for their hard work and contribution. Improved performance feedback process with also help the employees as managers will get specific training for it. HR will reorganize the management plan and rotate the employees which will further increase their motivation and improve their skills. It will also retain exceptional employees for the company. The HR has the skills and ability to solve employee related issues. The motivation level of all the employees will increase through these measures as they will see that their hard work and contribution is being recognized and rewarded. Employees can also easily take help from HR as they are now strategic partners to their organization. Motivation of all employees can be further increased by giving them health care coverage, daycare, vacation time, bonuses etc. All these rewards together can boost employee performance and hence create a better working environment for all the workers. What do you think are the risks involved (to HR and the organization as a whole) if HR does not make this a priority and instead remains a purely task-oriented? The organization will have to face a lot of negative consequences if HR does not make this a priority and remains task-oriented. HR will only be involved and interested in the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks. They will not be helping the organization in achieving their